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  1. #1
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    Praying Speed tube problem

    Ok, to start I should have known better. Now, my speed tube hole in the front of my lower unit was clogged up so I tried a drill bit, bad move, and now the bit is broke off in the lower unit. I tried blowing air in from the tube and now I blew the tube off. First, any suggestions for the stuck bit. Second how do I get the tube back on in the lower unit.

    I know what a XXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!

    Motor is a Mercury 175EFI.

    any help would be nice.

  2. Born on th Llano Estacado Tx Champ's Avatar
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    #2
    You'll have to pull the lower unit and get to it that way. I'm assuming you had the bit in a drill??

  3. Member MMosher's Avatar
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    #3
    Put it in the drill chuck and reverse it out.

  4. Member
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    #4
    Yes I had it in a drill and broke it off. Will it hurt anything to leave it. I use gps most the time. Also will it hurt o leave the tube disconnected.

  5. Member
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    #5
    I eliminated my speedometer 10 years ago, and plugged the water line.
    Last edited by Ed R; 04-20-2018 at 07:29 PM.
    Ed R.


    2006 ChampioN 198 225 Optimax

  6. Banned
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    #6
    Leave it and go fishing... Why they continue to put speedometers in boat is a mystery to me... Dan

  7. SC Club Moderator ChampioNman's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by pastormark View Post
    Yes I had it in a drill and broke it off. Will it hurt anything to leave it. I use gps most the time. Also will it hurt o leave the tube disconnected.
    Never ever use a drill when trying to clean the pickup on a lower unit. One false move and you've toasted a lower unit. Always use the bit by hand only.

  8. Born on th Llano Estacado Tx Champ's Avatar
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    #8
    Quote Originally Posted by ChampioNman View Post
    ...Always use the bit by hand only.
    ... I use a Pin Vise to hold the bit


  9. Member
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    #9
    Will it hurt to leave it that way?

  10. Born on th Llano Estacado Tx Champ's Avatar
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    #10
    No, your speedo just won't work.

  11. Pat Goff
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    #11
    The most useless gauge on your dash. Leave it plugged and go fishing.
    Tach and water pressure are the only two useful gauges the rest are just something else to break.
    Pat Goff

    Two degrees from center
    of nowhere.
    Smithwick TX.

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  12. Member
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    #12
    Go get yourself a dash gauge radio and pull speedo out and put radio in it.
    Bruce Phillips
    1995 190 DC champion ......1995 200 xri merc

  13. Pat Goff
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    #13
    One of the funnier boat tech stories.
    Guy bought a 184/175 came in complaining it wasn’t running as fast as he wanted.
    Let me take a look come back in a couple hours.
    Pulled the speedo tube out hit it with a shot of compressed air and stuck it back together.
    Customer came back “your timing was off and synced up your carbs”
    He came back raving on how much better it ran “seven miles an hour faster”.
    Glad you liked it.
    Pat Goff

    Two degrees from center
    of nowhere.
    Smithwick TX.

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  14. Champion Boats Moderator Lea's Avatar
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    #14

  15. Member kcg202champ's Avatar
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    #15
    Glad to know i dont need to clean mine out anytime soon... i got some wood lodged in mine and tried the drill bit trick (by hand NOT drill) and couldnt get all of it out SO i will wait till next time i drop the lower unit to replace the impeller or water pump i will clean tube out then